Camera module

Abstract

A camera module includes a first circuit board on which the image sensor is mounted; a plurality of lens barrels spaced apart from the first circuit board; a carrier on which the plurality of lens barrels are mounted and configured to move along a plane intersecting an optical axis so as to align any one of the plurality of the lens barrel with the image sensor; an actuator configured to move the carrier to each of an optical axis direction and a direction intersecting the optical axis direction; and a housing receiving therein at least a portion of each of the lens barrels and the actuator.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A camera module comprising:
 a first circuit board on which a image sensor is mounted;   a plurality of lens barrels spaced apart from the first circuit board;   a carrier on which the plurality of lens barrels are mounted and configured to move along a plane intersecting an optical axis so as to align any one of the plurality of lens barrel with the image sensor;   an actuator configured to move the carrier to each of an optical axis direction and a direction intersecting the optical axis; and   a housing receiving therein at least a portion of each of the lens barrels and the actuator.   
     
     
         2 . The camera module of  claim 1 , wherein the carrier includes:
 a first cell configured to be rotatable around a rotation axis parallel to the optical axis, wherein the first cell has a first protrusion protruding therefrom in the direction intersecting the optical axis; and   a second cell coupled to a distal end of the first protrusion, wherein the second cell has a hollow cylindrical shape such that the lens barrel is received therein.   
     
     
         3 . The camera module of  claim 2 , wherein the first protrusion includes a plurality of first protrusions extending radially from a center of the first cell,
 wherein the second cell includes a plurality of second cells respectively coupled to distal ends of the first protrusions.   
     
     
         4 . The camera module of  claim 3 , wherein the camera module further comprises:
 a plurality of AF (auto-focusing) magnets respectively mounted on outer faces of the second cells for performing auto-focusing of the lenses of the lens barrels; and   an AF sensor mounted on the housing to sense change in a position of each of the AF magnets.   
     
     
         5 . The camera module of  claim 2 , wherein the actuator includes:
 a yoke;   a first driver mounted on the yoke;   a first rotator mounted on the first driver and configured to rotate around a rotation axis parallel to the optical axis under operation of the first driver;   a second driver mounted on the first rotator; and   a second rotator mounted on the second driver and configured to rotate around a rotation axis parallel to the optical axis under operation of the second driver.   
     
     
         6 . The camera module of  claim 5 , wherein the first driver includes:
 a first piezoelectrically driving portion made of a piezoelectric material and mounted on the yoke; and   a first gear structure configured to contact the first piezoelectrically driving portion and formed in a ring shape, wherein the first gear structure has gear teeth formed on one face thereof, wherein under an operation of the first piezoelectrically driving portion, the first gear structure is deformed sequentially in a circumferential direction thereof so as to generate a wave sequentially in the circumferential direction thereof.   
     
     
         7 . The camera module of  claim 5 , wherein the actuator further includes a plurality of coupling magnets arranged in a circumferential direction of the first rotator, and extending through the first rotator, wherein the plurality of coupling magnets allow the first rotator to closely contact the first driver, and allow the second rotator to closely contact the second driver. 
     
     
         8 . The camera module of  claim 5 , wherein the first rotator includes a guide portion formed on an outer edge thereof,
 wherein the first cell includes:
 a second protrusion protruding therefrom in the direction intersecting the optical axis; and 
 a guide pin protruding in the first direction from a distal end of the second protrusion so as to be inserted into the guide portion. 
   
     
     
         9 . The camera module of  claim 8 , wherein the guide pin is inserted into the guide portion such that the carrier is engaged with the first rotator and rotates together with the rotation of the first rotator. 
     
     
         10 . The camera module of  claim 8 , wherein the first cell further includes a third protrusion protruding from a rotating center portion thereof in the first direction, wherein a thread is formed on an outer face of the third protrusion,
 wherein the second rotator has a hollow portion, wherein a thread is formed on an inner face of the hollow portion such that the thread of the hollow portion is meshed with the thread of the third protrusion.   
     
     
         11 . The camera module of  claim 10 , wherein the carrier is screw-coupled to the second rotator via the meshed threads such that as the second rotator rotates, the carrier is configured to move in the first direction for auto-focusing of the lens. 
     
     
         12 . The camera module of  claim 5 , wherein the second driver includes:
 a second piezoelectrically driving portion made of a piezoelectric material and mounted on the first rotator; and   a second gear structure configured to contact the second piezoelectrically driving portion and formed in a ring shape, wherein the second gear structure has gear teeth formed on one face thereof, wherein under an operation of the second piezoelectrically driving portion, the second gear structure is deformed sequentially in a circumferential direction thereof so as to generate a wave sequentially in the circumferential direction thereof.   
     
     
         13 . The camera module of  claim 12 , wherein the second piezoelectrically driving portion is configured to rotate together with the rotation of the first rotator,
 wherein a connective cable is electrically connected to the second piezoelectrically driving portion and has a predetermined length and is made of a flexible material so as not to interfere with the rotation of the second piezoelectrically driving portion.   
     
     
         14 . The camera module of  claim 5 , wherein the actuator further includes:
 a first magnet mounted on the first rotator; and   a first sensor mounted on the yoke and configured to sense change in a position of the first magnet and sense at least one of a rotation direction or a rotation angle of the first rotator based on the change.   
     
     
         15 . The camera module of  claim 1 , wherein the image sensor and the plurality of the lens barrel are disposed at positions spaced apart from a center of the housing in a radial direction of the housing,
 wherein the carrier is configured to be rotatable around the rotation axis such that one of the plurality of the lens barrel is aligned with the image sensor in the optical axis direction.   
     
     
         16 . A camera module comprising:
 an image sensor;   a plurality of lens barrels spaced apart from the image sensor;   a carrier on which the plurality of lens barrels are mounted and configured to move along a plane intersecting an optical axis so as to align any one of the plurality of lens barrel with the image sensor;   an actuator configured to move the carrier to each of an optical axis direction and a direction intersecting the optical axis;   a housing receiving therein at least a portion of each of the lens barrels and the actuator; and   a shield can mounted on the housing and shielding electromagnetic interference.   
     
     
         17 . The camera module of  claim 16 , wherein the camera module further comprises an infrared blocking filter disposed between the image sensor and the actuator. 
     
     
         18 . The camera module of  claim 16 , wherein the actuator includes:
 a yoke;   a first driver mounted on the yoke;   a first rotator mounted on the first driver and configured to rotate around a rotation axis parallel to the optical axis under operation of the first driver;   a second driver mounted on the first rotator; and   a second rotator mounted on the second driver and configured to rotate around a rotation axis parallel to the optical axis under operation of the second driver.   
     
     
         19 . The camera module of  claim 18 , wherein the first driver includes:
 a first piezoelectrically driving portion made of a piezoelectric material and mounted on the yoke; and   a first gear structure configured to contact the first piezoelectrically driving portion and formed in a ring shape, wherein the first gear structure has gear teeth formed on one face thereof, wherein under an operation of the first piezoelectrically driving portion, the first gear structure is deformed sequentially in a circumferential direction thereof so as to generate a wave sequentially in the circumferential direction thereof.   
     
     
         20 . The camera module of  claim 18 , wherein the second driver includes:
 a second piezoelectrically driving portion made of a piezoelectric material and mounted on the first rotator; and   a second gear structure configured to contact the second piezoelectrically driving portion and formed in a ring shape, wherein the second gear structure has gear teeth formed on one face thereof, wherein under an operation of the second piezoelectrically driving portion, the second gear structure is deformed sequentially in a circumferential direction thereof so as to generate a wave sequentially in the circumferential direction thereof.